TaraPA
Can't live without a ticker!!!!
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2000
- Messages
- 16,570
I am hosting a large party at my home for my parent's 50th wedding anniversary next month. I invited 185 people, all adults, and worded the invitations as "Mr & Mrs John Smith" or John & Mary Smith. I didn't word the invitation as "adults only" or "no children please" as I assumed (silly, silly girl) that people knew when an invitation was addressed to 2 people, that TWO PEOPLE were invited. I also didn't want to add those phrases because my own 2 children will be there, since they are grandchildren of the honorees. And quite frankly, they live here & will be helping day & night with party things. Their other grandchildren will be there as well, as their parents (my brother & wife) are helping to host the party. The grandchildren range in age from 12 to 22, they are the only children that were invited.
So 2 weeks ago I get the 1st reply that the guest's boyfriend only has his kids (ages 5 & 8) that weekend so they'd be coming along to meet everyone. Then I get another reply from friends of my parents who are babysitting their grandkids that day (ages 3, 4 & 9) so they would be coming along too. Last night I get a reply that John, Mary, Susie & Johnny Smith (4-yr old twins) will be attending (invitation was only to John & Mary Smith). Today there is a msg on my machine that so-and-so and their 2-yr old will be attending.
I'm stuck as to what to do. It's only another 7 people, but all young children. This is a 50th anniversary party & while it's not fancy schmancy, my parents would really prefer no children there (myself too). My house is NOT child proofed at all, plus we have an ongoing landscaping project in th back yard that could be dangerous if children were to get into it. I just don't want to spend the day feeling like I have to keep an eye on someone else's kids, I will have enough to do with that many adults here! My mom has told me to politely tell them that children are not invited. I feel like I can't say that since their grandchildren will be here, so obviously they are children & were invited. I understand many families do not attend events where the kids aren't invited, and that's their right to decline, but I don't think they have the right to just bring them when it's also my right to not invite them. I don't know what to do!
Any suggestions on how to either politely decline the kids, or should I just suck it up & let them come? I know my parents will not be comfortable with 7 kids ages 2-9 running all over, and 80% of the guests are age 60+, they might not appreciate it either. And then there's those guests who respected my wishes & left their kids at home or with a sitter - how will they feel if they see these 7 kids at the party? How do I explain that? Help!!
So 2 weeks ago I get the 1st reply that the guest's boyfriend only has his kids (ages 5 & 8) that weekend so they'd be coming along to meet everyone. Then I get another reply from friends of my parents who are babysitting their grandkids that day (ages 3, 4 & 9) so they would be coming along too. Last night I get a reply that John, Mary, Susie & Johnny Smith (4-yr old twins) will be attending (invitation was only to John & Mary Smith). Today there is a msg on my machine that so-and-so and their 2-yr old will be attending.
I'm stuck as to what to do. It's only another 7 people, but all young children. This is a 50th anniversary party & while it's not fancy schmancy, my parents would really prefer no children there (myself too). My house is NOT child proofed at all, plus we have an ongoing landscaping project in th back yard that could be dangerous if children were to get into it. I just don't want to spend the day feeling like I have to keep an eye on someone else's kids, I will have enough to do with that many adults here! My mom has told me to politely tell them that children are not invited. I feel like I can't say that since their grandchildren will be here, so obviously they are children & were invited. I understand many families do not attend events where the kids aren't invited, and that's their right to decline, but I don't think they have the right to just bring them when it's also my right to not invite them. I don't know what to do!
Any suggestions on how to either politely decline the kids, or should I just suck it up & let them come? I know my parents will not be comfortable with 7 kids ages 2-9 running all over, and 80% of the guests are age 60+, they might not appreciate it either. And then there's those guests who respected my wishes & left their kids at home or with a sitter - how will they feel if they see these 7 kids at the party? How do I explain that? Help!!